Carol J. Bell

Carol J. Bell completed her earthly journey on May 13, 2026. She transitioned to her eternal heavenly home in the same
way she approached everything, with dignity and grace.
Carol was loved by all who knew her. She made sure her family and friends always knew how deeply she cared for them.
She lived each day guided by three clear priorities: family, faith, and fun.
Family
Carol married Tom Bell on February 11, 1967, in Bluffton, Ohio. In 1969, they moved to Columbus, Ohio, and eventually
settled in Westerville, where they built a beautiful life together.
She is survived by her loving husband, Tom Bell; her children, Mindy (Tom) Westfall of Columbus, Ohio, and Eric
(Megan) Bell of Delaware, Ohio; her grandchildren, Evan (Averi) Westfall, Sam (Hanna) Westfall, Ali Bell, and Tom
Bell, all of the Columbus area; and her great-grandson, Sonny Thomas Westfall.
Carol is also survived by her brothers, Greg (Christine) Steiner of Englewood, Florida, and Bob (Patsy) Steiner of Hobe
Sound, Florida.
Faith
Carol was an active member of Central College Presbyterian Church for more than forty-three years. Through the church,
she became an ordained Stephen Minister, a calling she faithfully practiced through caring for others. As part of the
church’s medical mission team, she traveled to Honduras to deliver healthcare and share the Gospel in rural communities.
She also devoted time to the Adopt-A-Child Christmas project, helping provide gifts to underprivileged children
throughout Central Ohio. Carol served multiple terms as a deacon at CCPC, always leading with compassion and
humility.
Fun
Carol’s happiest moments were whenever family gathered together. She loved preparing meals with enough food for
everyone to take leftovers home. She was a devoted fan of Ohio State Buckeyes football. Whether in “The Shoe” or
cheering from the family room, she proudly wore scarlet and gray on game days. Victories were celebrated loudly, and
losses were met with her familiar refrain: “That should have never happened!”
Carol also loved softball and once pitched for a Columbus women’s softball team. Her favorite movie was A League of
Their Own, and her favorite band was CAAMP.
Early Life
Carol was born in Bluffton, Ohio, on April 28, 1948, to Evan & Betty (Kohli) Steiner. She graduated from Bluffton High
School and attended Bluffton University.
A life-altering event occurred on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, when a massive tornado struck Bluffton while Carol was
babysitting her pastor’s three-year-old twin daughters. She awoke the girls and took them to the basement moments before
the storm destroyed the home. The brick church across the road was also leveled, and several lives were lost in the
surrounding area. Remarkably, Carol and the girls escaped without a single injury.
Career
Carol worked for twenty-two years as a dental assistant. At age forty-nine, she courageously changed careers and became
a highly successful Realtor. Though the professions seemed very different, they shared one important similarity: Carol
spent her life helping people, one person at a time. That was her mission.
A celebration of Carol’s life will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 1:30-3:30 pm at The Lakes Country Club.
Officiated by Mindy Quellhorst. Her final resting place will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in memory of Carol Bell to 2nd & 7 Tackling Illiteracy at

https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E347071&id=3

Carol’s legacy will live on in the lessons she shared so freely: put family first, be kind to one another, and always, always
have fun.